Duplicating or counter-check appliance.



PATENTED MAR. 22 1904.

E.PARKER; I DUPLIUATING 0R COUNTER G-HEGK APPLIANCE.

APPLIOATION IILED MAY 24, 1902.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

no MODEL.

-5.2- r WITNESSES (fiy (wt/won Edward/ arker:

ATTORNEYS No. 755,163. I PATBNTED MAR. 22. 1904. B. PARKER.

DUPLIGATING 0R COUNTER GHEGK APPLIANCE. nruoumn FILED my 24, 1992. I0 110mm. x V s sums-sum 2.

WITNESSES I I/V mam/1 Edward/ arker Arromvns rm: uoRmS Pawns Sp, PnoTo-m'na, WASHINGTON, u. c.

No. 755,163. PATENTBD MAR. 22, 1904. E. PARKER.

DUPLIGATING 0R COUNTER CHECK APPLIANCE. APPLIOATI-ON FILED MAY 24, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

WITNESSES lf vilvrol? 22 M712 ari'rer.

- ATTORNEYS w: mama warms so wo'fourumvusnmswu. u r.

UNITED STATES Patented March 22, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

DUPLIOATING OR COUNTER-CHECK APPLIANCE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No, '7 55,163, dated March 22,1904.

Application filed May 24, 1902. Serial No. 108,774n (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD PARKER, a subject of the King of Great-Britain, residing at Bristol, in the county of Glgucester, England,

have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Duplicating or Counter-Check Appliances, of which the following is a full and complete specification, such as will enable those skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improved counter or sale check appliance by means of which I am enabled to do away with the book form of sale-checks and to substitute in its place a continuous and unperforated strip or sheet of paper, thereby saving all binding, stitching, pasting, or perforating. This strip may have thereon printed or impressed at regular intervals corresponding to the length of the check-form required the usual lines, consecutive numbers, headings, and matter'required in sales-check forms. These will hereinafter be called the originals. When a duplicate is required with each original, I purpose using another strip of paper laid underneath the original with edges even therewith and numbered, if required, at regular intervals corresponding with the numbers of the originals immediately above them.

appliance, which will hereinafter be more particularly described, consists in its preferable form of a case or box-like receptacle made to contain any convenient number of checks and duplicates in continuous strips, as described, and folded or rolled in any convenient fashion. It is so arranged and devised that the aforesaid strip or strips may be drawn from the inside of the case through an aperture at one end and over the top, which then forms a supporting-surface for the paper while being written on, the original and duplicate being laid, respectively, over and under a sheet of carbon-paper or other copying material, so held and retained between the original and duplicate that when the said original and duplicate are simultaneously drawn forward the sheet of carbon is retained and prevented from moving from its appointed place. The check having been filled in or written on as desired,the original,with its duplicate,is drawn Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a portable appliance constructed inaccordance with my invention; Fig. 2, a plan view of a pressure plate or brake which I employ, with a slidingknife fitted thereto; Fig. 3, a longitudinal section of Fig. 1, showing two paper strips in position and folded Zigzag fashion within the case; Fig. 4,.a plate which forms a detachable top to the case and hereinafter re ferred to as the writing-plate; Fig. 5,checks or duplicates rolled on two small rollers in- 'and' top pressure-pads shown and representing an alternate method of carrying out my invention; Fig. 8, the top pressure-pad with fixed knife attached; 'Fig. 9,-a writing-plate for use with the case, as shown at Fig. 7; Fig. 10, a tilting knifewith springs and which is hinged to a pressure-plate and the said pressure-plate having side plates hinged to it, as shown; Fig. 11, a carbon-holder with hinge for fixing to the side of the case, Fig. 1; Fig.

12, a sliding carbon-holder, showing the slid ingmovement on the hinge; Fig. 13, the top of a desk, showing the sliding carbon-holder i and knife and indicating the checks and duplicates in rolls in the body of the desk; Fig. 14, an enlargedview of a hinge for the knife which I may use for the desk form of apparatus; and Fig. 15 shows a sheet of carbon folded over a holder, this being a convenient and economical way of using the carbon, the

arrow representing the direction in which the original and duplicate are withdrawn.

The case, with its cover 64 attached, as represented in Fig. 1, may be made from papiermach,wood, celluloid, aluminium, cardboard, or any suitable material and is hinged or jointed at b and c in order that, if desired, it

may be turned back so as -to lie close to the under side or back of the aforesaid case, and when the appliance is not in use the cover may lie flat down on the main part of the case, thereby keeping the check exposed on the writing-plate clean and uninjured, and this is also intended as a convenience for holding the case when writing upon it without the aid of a counter, table, or other support. Another reason and advantage in jointing the cover as described is that when the appliance is being used on acounter or table and the cover thrown back the same will not be so liable to injury as if it were in one unyielding piece. Also that part of the cover, as shown, may be utilized for holding a sheet of paper to be used as an index or record of sales effected, suitable small pockets (0 being provided for inserting the corners of the index-sheet.

Referring again to Fig. 1, the case is fitted with a writing-plate g, the same being shown in detail at Fig. 4 and made of sheet metal or other suitable material that will answer the purpose of forming an efficient support to the paper while it is being written on. The writing-plate g is provided with a roller (i, made to turn in suitable bearings, as shown, the object of the same being to facilitate the withdrawal of the paper by diminishing the friction at that point. Side guides d and (Z may also be provided to keep the paper in its proper position sidewise on the writing-plate during the withdrawal. The top of these guides may also be made to fit underneath a top plate at the end of the case a, and so keep the writing-plate g in place and prevent it from lifting when the paper is being withdrawn over the roller.

At f is a small rod or strip of metal, which is preferably hinged to the case at f to which a sheet of carbon f may be fastened, so that when in use the rod or strip may lie across and upon the writing-plate, but be capable of being raised and turned back so as to lie on the cover, thereby enabling the writing-plate to be removed from the case without injury to the carbon-sheet.

The writing-plate gis preferably bent a g, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, in order that the pressure-plate and sliding knife, hereinafter described, when in position, as shown in section in Fig. 3, may not be above the highest part of the writing-plate g.

The writing-plate g may have a cutting edge at g provided for severing the paper down ward, if desired, and said plate may also have affixed to it at the part marked it, Fig. 1, a piece of plush, cloth, velvet, or any suitable material, and projecting from beneath this are two springs m, of thin material, curving upward when in their normal position, as shown.

A pressure-plate r, of suitable material, is also employed, which when in position is fitted to the case so as to lie immediately over that part occupied by the plush, as shown in detail, with its fittings, in Fig. 2, and at the sides thereof are preferably hinged plates i and i, the object of which is that when the plate z'is properly screwed or otherwise fastened to the case the pressure-plate 1' can be made to lie on the plush with equal pressure throughout, and the plate 2" is then dropped over the side and clipped with suitable catches i operating in slots 0, so as to be retained firmly in that position. The aforesaid pressure-plate r has fitted to it aknife 22 the cutting edge of which in its normal position is immediately over that of the writing-plate, as shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 2 shows a sliding knife p --that is to say, a knife fitted with cars 12 at the sides and made a working fit on the pins j and ,7", which also serve for the hinge-pins of the pressureplate 0'. The aforesaid knife may have that portion 2" which is shown shaded, roughened, so that it may readily be drawn back with the finger from its normal position 711 to 71:, the springs Z being used to return the said sliding knife to its normal position on removing the finger, or the springs may be dispensed with and the knife returned with the finger.

The object of the sliding knife 12 is that when it is moved to the position It the springs m, which before were held thereunder, assume their extreme upward curve. The springs m are curved in order to force the paper which passes thereover upward, so as to be readily grasped when the sliding knife 11 is drawn back. Instead of the sliding knife just described I may use one which is shown in Fig. 1 1, where a is the knife fitted to a hinged plate a, which is so fastened to the case that the knife is capable of being lifted off the paper and laid back on the cover while the check is being written on. In this case the carbon-holder 02/ (shown in Figs. 12 and 13) will be made to slide from its normal position to the position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 12, carrying with it the carbonsheet, the object being that after the check is written on and made out the carbon is moved by pushing the knob from its normal position to the position in which the holder is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 12, which dis-.

tance is, say, about oneinch. The free ends of the paper may then be taken hold of and withdrawn until the next check is in position without fear or danger of tearing the carbonsheet. The friction of the paper on the carbon-sheet f 2 when being withdrawn is usually sufficient to return the said carbon-sheet to its original position; but suitable springs may be provided, if necessary. The knife may then be brought down onto the paper and the latter severed, as before described.

To fill the appliance, as shown at Fig. 1, and prepare it for use, I proceed as follows: Having at hand the strip or strips of paper to be used for the checks and duplicates, that intended for the original on the top and the du plicate underneath and folded or rolled in any convenient way, preferably zigzag fashion, as shown in Fig. 3, thecatches i which fit into the slots 0, are released, enabling that side 2" of the pressure-plate 1", together with the knife 9 to be raised, turning about the pin j at the hinge until it lies back on the cover a, the carbon-holder and carbon being lifted and laid back in a similar way. The writingplate 9 can then be lifted out and the folded or rolled paper placed in the receptacle beneath. Ifthe paper is wound on rollers q'and q, as shown in the sectional view atFig. 5, suitable bearings will be provided within the case to receive the ends of the rollers and enable them to turn freely. The first check-and duplicate being held up, the writing-plate may then be replaced, the end fitted with the roller (Z being first placedunder the plate 0. Then the check and duplicate are laid along the writing-plate to the opposite end. The-original is then lifted up and the carbon sheet and holder placed across the duplicate.

- then laid down upon the duplicate, the carbon being then between the two strips of paper. The pressure-plate r is then brought down on the paper and held in position by the catches 41 which fit into the slots 0. The appliance is then ready for use, and when the check is made out the slidingknife p is drawn'back with the finger from 70 to h, Fig. 2, allowing the springs m to raise the'ends of theoriginal and duplicate together off of the writing-plate, thus enabling the-user to take hold of the paper and withdraw it until the next original and its duplicateare in position. The knife having been returned to itsnormal position,

the original and its duplicate-may then be simultaneously and effectively severed from the strips by a combined upward, backward,

, and sidewise pull either against the sliding knife or by a combined downward, backward, and sidewise pullagainst the cutting edge of the writing-plate at 9 Instead of the two kinds of knives hereinbefore described Imay use a tilting knife, as shown in Fig. 10, in which 8 represents the pressure-plate hinged to side plates 8 and s and to which is hinged, as shown at u and a a knife 25,- the cutting edge of which is immediately above the writing-plate 9 when in position, and the hinges u and 20 are provided with suitable spring '0 for keeping the knife tdown in its normal position, which is that of lying flat on the writing-plateg underneath. This knife may have a slight projection t at any convenient place, so that it may readily be raised with the finger, thus exposing the ends of the original and duplicate when the appliance is in use, the two flat springs m, Fig. I, then regaining their normal state, and thereby lifting the free ends of the paper, and the original and duplicate may then be readily taken hold of and withdrawn until the next check is in position. The knife being The original is.

then allowed to drop to its original position, the original and duplicate may then be severed against the cutting edge, as before described. In this case it may be necessary to'place the fingers of the other hand on'the knife z, to prevent it rising when the paper is cut, or the 'paper may be severed by a combined downward, backward, and sidewise pull against the cutting edge of the writing-plate at g A modification of the appliance just described isshown in Figs. 7 and 8, where instead of the pressure-plate r and sliding knife 19 or pressure-plate s and tilting knife tI may use pressure-pads w and m, which are attached to the top and bottom plates a and (0*, respectively, the pad w being secured to the plate a which is hinged at one side to the case, the

' other side being provided with suitable catches a, adapted to engage catches 6/, arranged on the corresponding side of the said case, and by means of this construction it will be seen that the pad w may be'raised at'will, while in its normal position it produces friction upon the paper being drawn between it and the pad 00. The pad w maybe faced with a metal or other bearingsurface,'while the .pad on is preferably faced with rubber, plush, or other material producing resistance to the paper being drawn over it, the object being when the pressure-pads are brought one upon the otherv to create a slight resistance to the passage of the paper between them and also to provide a surface capable of accommodating itself to any inequalities in the paper, and it has been found that the paper is smoother and more evenly laid onthe writing-plate when these pads or the pressure-plate, as hereinbefore described, are used than when they are dispensed with,

and in Fig. 9 is shown a writing-plate r used in this form of construction. These pads w and as may have fixed to them knives the edges of which project slightly over the end of the case, as shown at w and m, Fig. 7 The mode of using this appliance is the same as that illustrated at Figs. 1 and 3, the pads w and w taking the place of the pressure-plate 1-, and the sliding knife p being dispensed with the paper may be severed by a combined upward pull or a combined downward pull, as before described, against the top or bottom knife, respectively. The pads w and m preferably have fixed to their outer curved surface at 1.0 and 00 strips of sandpaper or some such rough ma' terial. This eifectually prevents the, paper moving between the pads when being severed.

Although I have hitherto referredto my appliance in its portable form, it is obvious that a desk, table, or the like may be fitted with the various parts described or a combination of parts embodying the same invention, substantially as herein described and illustrated. Fig. 13 illustrates a desk-top fitted in the way suggested. In such a case it may be preferable to have the originals and duplicates rolled together on one large roll, or the original strip may occupy one roll, 2, and the duplicate strip another roll, 2

The advantages I claim for my appliance over any of the other methods now in use are as follows: first, that by its use the book form of sales-check is done away with, and thus the cost of binding, stitching, and perforating is saved, consequently enabling the checks in strips to be bought cheaper than a like number of checks in book form; secondly, there being less liability for the checks to be accidentally torn or injured; thirdly, the writingplate being firm and hard it is much better and convenient to write on and resulting in a better and plainer copy on the duplicate; fourthly, with a cover to fold underneath and lie close to the back it is more convenient to hold when writing upon it without the aid of a counter, table, or other support than the book form of sales-check; fifthly, it is more economical than the book form, as no stub is necessary.

I would here observe by way of disclaimer that I am aware that a fixed carbon or copying sheet held in a fixed position between original and duplicate has been used before. Therefore I do not claim any novelty in this respect, but have included it in the description of my appliance merely to show by what method the original is copied on the duplicate; but the carbon-holders described herein,whicl1 I believe to be new and not hitherto in use before, I include as part of my invention. I may also remark that I may produce as many copies of the original as are required by providing a corresponding number of strips of paper and carbon-paper, each sheet of carbon being on a separate holder and arranged above the copy similarly as the one herein described.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A duplicating or counter-check appliance comprising a casing, a removable writing-plate mounted therein, a movable carbon sheet holder secured to said casing and extending over said writing-plate and a cutter slidably mounted at one end of said casing,substantially as shown and described.

2. In a duplicating or counter-check appliance of the class described a casing, a writingplate, and strips of paper mounted in said casing and passing over said writing-plate; a pres sure-plate hinged to one side of saidcasing and detachably secured to the opposite side thereof and a cutter slidably mounted on said pressureplate, substantially as shown and described.

3. In a duplicating or counter-check appliance comprising a casing, a writing-plate on said casing and strips of paper mounted in said casing and passing over said writing-plate; a carbon-sheet holder consisting of a plate secured to said casing an arm hinged thereto and having sliding movement thereon said arm extending transversely of and between said strips of paper, substantially as shown and described.

4. In a counter-check appliance, a casing, a writing-plate mounted therein, said plate being downwardly and outwardly curved near its outer end and provided with a friction-plate adjacent to said end, a plurality of upwardlyextending springs secured to said writing-plate adjacent to said friction-plate, and said writ-- ing-plate being provided with a cutting edge at its outer end, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name, in presence of the subscribing witnesses, this 9th day of May, 1902.

EDWARD PARKER.

Witnesses:

GEORGE ORLANDO WOOLLEY, REGINALD BARTLEMORE GROSVENOR BIRTILE. 

